Billy D. Klas 81, of Smiths Ferry Idaho, and Reno Nevada died Friday, May 13, 2011 at Wynwood Assisted Living in Reno Nevada, due to complications of Parkinson's disease. A viewing will take place on Monday, May 23 from 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. at Waldo Funeral Home, in Sherman Texas. A memorial service will be Tuesday, May 24 at 1:00 P.M. at Waldo Funeral Home. Rev. David Murphy of the North Park Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow at Friendship Cemetery.

Billy was born on Feb 1, 1930 in Texas to Henry W. and Laura M. (Saunders) Klas. After graduation Billy went to serve in the U.S. Navy. He was married to Joan (Wilson) Klas on April 16th 1956 in Berryville, Arkansas. He resided in Springfield, Mo, Bremerton WA, Yuma AZ, Cordova Alaska, Smiths Ferry ID, and Reno NV.

Billy Klas worked for Kraft Foods in Springfield MO for 20 years, and then moved to Bremerton WA, to work for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from 1967 until 1991 as a nuclear pipe fitter. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors. He was a volunteer for the U.S. Forest Service at Childs Glacier in Cordova, Alaska for five years.

He is survived by two sons, Dan Klas and his wife Joy of Kennewick WA and Jim Cooper and his wife Kathy of Yuma Arizona; and one daughter, Donna Wiser and her husband Ralph of Reno Nevada; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; one brother Buster (Bus) Klas; and two sisters, Betty Saunier and Francis (Frankie) Anderson.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joan; parents, Henry and Laura Klas; two brothers, Alvin and John Klas; and two sisters, Mae Ruyle, and Evelyn Gray.

The register book can be signed online at waldofuneralhome.com.